European regulator closes on 737 MAX approval

Europe's aviation watchdog, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has now completed its test flights of the Boeing 737 MAX. These took place in Vancouver, Canada due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. READ: Transporting a COVID-19 vaccine would take 8000 747 freighters  In a statement, it says that "as the next step in its evaluation of the aircraft for return to service, EASA is now analyzing the data and other information gathered during the flights in preparation for the Joint Operations Evaluation Board (JOEB). The JOEB is scheduled to start next week in London, Gatwick in the United Kingdom."

It says it has "been working steadily, in close cooperation with the FAA and Boeing, to return the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to service as soon as possible, but only once we are convinced it is safe."

In July and August, the US and Canadian regulators conducted test flights with the 737 MAX and are also analyzing data.

At the time a FAA spokesman said it “will lift the grounding order only after we are satisfied that the aircraft meets certification standards,” the FAA said.

Boeing resumed production of the 737 MAX at the company’s Renton, Washington factory in May.